Herta Space Station, Space Elevator.
Inside the elevator cabin, the pink-haired girl March 7th continued her introduction to Nolan.
"This one who looks a bit spaced-out is Dan Heng, and this here is our most reliable Uncle Yang—Welt Yang!"
She gestured first toward the quiet black-haired young man leaning against the wall, then toward the handsome brown-haired gentleman beside him.
"I see. Nice to meet you," Nolan nodded slightly in greeting.
"Hello."
Dan Heng, arms folded against the wall, gave a calm nod in return. The brown-haired gentleman smiled and said,
"Mr. Nolan has become a prominent figure on the space station at such a young age. Truly impressive for someone so young."
"Ahem, not at all. Compared to the renowned Nameless, Mr. Welt, I still have much to learn."
Nolan humbly returned the compliment.
Hearing that this brown-haired gentleman was also named "Welt Yang," Nolan couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Mr. Welt, have you ever heard of Earth?"
"Hm? Where did you hear that name?" Welt adjusted his black-framed glasses, looking at Nolan with mild surprise.
"I'm from Earth myself. Due to some unexpected circumstances, I somehow ended up on another planet. Well… you could call it transmigration. If you've read novels, Mr. Welt, you probably understand the concept.
"Back on Earth, I saw someone online who looked very similar to you. He was the leader of Anti-Entropy, commanding a legion of mechs against the Honkai-corrupted undead—an incredibly formidable figure."
Nolan explained.
Even though this Earth wasn't exactly the same Earth, he felt it was close enough. After all, explaining that he'd known him from a game would be far too troublesome.
Anti-Entropy. Honkai. Undead.
With those three terms together, Welt was completely certain—this Nolan truly came from Earth.
Judging by his name and appearance, he was likely from Shenzhou. Welt nodded and smiled.
"If nothing unexpected happened, then the leader of Anti-Entropy you mentioned would indeed be me. I never imagined I'd meet a fellow countryman in this distant galaxy. It feels almost surreal."
"It really is you? Mr. Welt, how did you end up here? Has the Astral Express already visited Earth?"
Nolan couldn't hide his surprise. He hadn't expected that Welt truly came from the Earth of Honkai Impact 3rd.
"It was also due to certain unforeseen circumstances. After the Honkai disaster ended, external invaders appeared. They deployed numerous 'Stargates' across Earth. Because of that, I was accidentally brought to the galaxy. Perhaps your transmigration was caused by them as well."
Since Nolan was also from Earth, Welt didn't mind sharing some of the details.
A "Stargate" was a type of teleportation device. Welt had discovered one in the city of Saint Fontaine. There might have been similar ones in cities across Shenzhou—that could very well have been what led to Nolan's transmigration.
"In that case, does that mean you have no way of returning to Earth either, Mr. Welt?"
Nolan couldn't help but feel a trace of regret.
Even if it wasn't the Earth he originally belonged to, visiting the Earth of Honkai Impact 3rd would still be quite interesting.
"Based on my speculation, the Solar System is likely an uncharted star system wrapped in Imaginary energy. As long as the Express continues along the path of 'Trailblaze,' we'll return there sooner or later."
Welt was equally regretful, but not overly worried.
"That does make sense." Nolan nodded.
Beside them, March 7th stared wide-eyed.
"So you really do know Uncle Yang!"
Even Asta, Himeko, and Dan Heng looked surprised.
If they had been from a planet already integrated into interstellar society, meeting on the space station wouldn't have been strange. But Earth was an uncharted system—and they had arrived here through sheer accident.
Just how lucky did they have to be to meet like this?
"In that case, why don't you join us on the Astral Express? Then we can take you and Uncle Yang back home someday."
March 7th put her hands on her hips and grinned at Nolan.
The Astral Express welcomed any traveler who yearned for the stars—let alone a wanderer longing for his homeland.
"Oh? Is that really possible? I was actually hoping to ride the Astral Express to visit a few places."
Nolan spoke frankly.
"Heh, of course there's no problem."
Welt naturally welcomed this fellow Earthling. With his extensive experience judging people, he could tell that Nolan didn't seem like a bad person.
Dan Heng simply nodded quietly without speaking.
"Indeed. The path of 'Trailblaze' calls for more like-minded companions."
Himeko, her long crimson hair shining under the elevator lights, gave an approving nod.
As the navigator—and effectively the one in charge of the Astral Express—her agreement settled the matter.
"Then I'll be in your care from now on."
Nolan, who had already been planning to hitch a ride on the Astral Express to various planets, readily accepted.
"That's wonderful! Another new companion! The conductor will definitely be thrilled!"
March 7th exclaimed excitedly.
[March 7th Has Developed Good Feelings Toward You. Obtained 820 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.4 (220/400)]
[Himeko Has Developed Good Feelings Toward You. Obtained 800 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.4 (200/400)]
Seeing the two consecutive affection notifications pop up, Nolan felt quite pleased.
"Wait a second—you're the Space Station's security consultant, aren't you? Is it really okay for you to just switch jobs like this? And aren't we basically poaching someone right in front of his boss?!"
After her initial excitement, March 7th suddenly realized something. She glanced at Nolan, then turned to look at Asta with an awkward expression.
They were practically digging up talent right in front of his superior! And why had Nolan agreed so quickly?
Shouldn't he at least have hesitated a little—like in TV dramas—saying he'd think it over, struggling internally between the Space Station and the Astral Express first?
And then after going through some touching events, just as they're about to leave, you dramatically run out and say you want to follow the Express!
"Hehe, Miss March 7th, there's no need to be nervous. In fact, it was my suggestion for him to set off with the Astral Express. I was planning to bring it up with you later.
"You just happened to reach an agreement ahead of time. And even if he travels with you, it won't affect his work."
A gentle smile appeared on Asta's fair face as she spoke.
"Ah? Don't tell me he can just run back here anytime?" March 7th looked at Nolan in mild astonishment.
"Of course. I told you already—invincible beneath the Aeons. Doing something like that would be simple."
Nolan emphasized once again.
"There you go bragging again. If you're that amazing, why don't you just teleport back to your hometown?" March 7th crossed her arms, suspicion returning to her face.
"Even Aeons aren't omniscient or omnipotent. I don't even know Earth's coordinates—don't even know what direction it's in. How am I supposed to teleport there?
"When it comes to exploring unknown planets, no matter how capable I am, I'm nowhere near as professional as the Astral Express."
Originally, Nolan had considered having Teyvat research and build a spacecraft to search for Earth on their own. But it was still a spacecraft—even with formation arrays and runic enhancements.
To actually construct one and complete all the testing would take at least a year and a half.
Now that he could hitch a ride on the Astral Express, there was naturally no need to rush. Searching together with professionals would be far easier than doing it alone.
"Hmph. At least you've got good judgment!"
Hearing him praise their professionalism, March 7th snorted proudly.
Just then, the elevator gave a soft ding, signaling their arrival at the Master Control Zone.
As they stepped out, Nolan turned to Himeko and asked:
"By the way, Miss Himeko, will the Express depart as soon as supplies are restocked, or will you be staying a few more days?"
"We'll likely remain for a few days. You can take your time preparing," Himeko shook her head.
Since they had come all the way to the space station, they wouldn't simply rush off after restocking. "Trailblazing" was, in many ways, similar to traveling—there was no urgent mission pushing them forward.
"That works perfectly."
Nolan nodded lightly before continuing,
"Then before heading to the next stop, would you like to visit the world I'm currently in? If nothing unexpected happens, it should also be a planet wrapped in Imaginary energy—one that even Akivili never reached.
"Exploring a world no one has ever set foot in should be greatly beneficial for Pathstriders of the Trailblaze, wouldn't you say?"
Now that he had successfully boarded the Astral Express, it was only natural to return the favor by inviting them to explore Teyvat.
At the same time, he could see whether there was room for cooperation—or even have the Astral Express break through the Imaginary energy barrier surrounding Teyvat's star system, officially linking it to interstellar society.
Eventually, Teyvat would have to interact with the interstellar community anyway. And with Nolan's current strength, he had the confidence to protect it from covetous eyes.
"A world even Akivili never visited!" March 7th's eyes lit up with excitement.
"For Pathstriders walking the Trailblaze," Dan Heng said calmly, his black hair framing his composed expression, "retracing Akivili's path is merely an individual's exploration of the unknown.
"But traveling to a world that even Akivili never reached—that would truly expand the boundaries of the galaxy. From the perspective of receiving feedback from the Path, the two are incomparable."
"Exactly. If such an unknown world exists, it's certainly worth a visit." Himeko cast Nolan a slightly surprised glance before falling into thoughtful contemplation.
In general, interstellar society used the term "galaxy" to refer to the universe. Strictly speaking, however, that wasn't accurate.
"Galaxy" actually referred to the known portion of the universe that Akivili had Trailblazed and connected—the observable universe.
Yet this was merely a small fraction of the whole—perhaps even an infinitesimal fraction. After all, the universe was infinite. No matter how vast the observed portion seemed, compared to the entirety of the cosmos, it was still infinitely small.
The unknown regions of the universe lay shrouded in Imaginary energy, impossible to observe by any means—perhaps even beyond the ability of the Aeons.
After all, there had never been any record of someone from an un-Trailblazed civilization becoming a Pathstrider.
Most likely, it was only after Trailblazing occurred that the Aeons' Paths extended into new civilizations as the "galaxy" expanded.
Only then would individuals within those civilizations give rise to Pathstriders.
And only by reaching the boundary of the galaxy, personally stepping into the uncharted universe, breaking the Imaginary energy barrier of a star system, laying down silver rails, and recording its coordinates—so that both newcomers and locals could freely travel back and forth—
Only then would that region be incorporated into the galaxy's star map and become part of the observable universe.
That was precisely what the Nameless of the Trailblaze faction excelled at—especially in the era before Akivili's fall.
In those days, countless star-faring vessels like the Astral Express followed in Akivili's footsteps into the unknown.
World after world began forming connections. The galaxy's territory expanded endlessly, moment by moment.
Now, however, the Astral Express seemed to be the only one left. Even the roads Akivili once traveled had been severed by the "Cancer of All Worlds."
At present, even communication within the galaxy was difficult—let alone expanding its boundaries.
The fundamental objective of the Astral Express's renewed voyage was to retrace the paths of their predecessors, clear the silver rails, and then go even farther—expanding the frontier once more.
Now that an opportunity to "expand the frontier" had appeared, as a Nameless, she had no reason to refuse.
"Then it's settled. Whenever you're free, I'll take you there," Nolan said, seeing that Himeko, the navigator, was inclined to go.
"Yay!" March 7th cheered, then suddenly recalled her past experiences and shot Nolan a suspicious look.
"Your world isn't facing some kind of crisis too, is it? Like a Stellaron or something, and you want us to fix it?"
Ever since boarding the Astral Express, it felt like every new world they visited was on the brink of disaster.
"Of course not. Teyvat is perfectly peaceful. You just need to come over, eat, drink, and have fun."
Nolan shook his head.
In the past, there might have been Abyss crises and the like. But now—even if there were—he could resolve them easily himself.
And Teyvat likely didn't have a Stellaron at all.
If it did, that would mean Nanook of Destruction had been there—and in that case, it wouldn't be an unknown world anymore.
"That's good. We're happy to help people, but if it's like that every single time, even iron men would collapse from exhaustion."
March 7th let out a relieved sigh.
"Don't worry. You'll be properly entertained when the time comes," Nolan said with a smile, then turned to Asta.
"Speaking of which, Miss Asta, I also have some matters regarding Teyvat that I'd like to discuss in cooperation with the space station."
"Of course. We can go see Madam Herta shortly," Asta nodded.
She then turned to Himeko.
"Miss Himeko, since you're visiting the space station this time, would you like to meet Madam Herta?"
"Yes. During this journey, we discovered a few curios. Herta should be interested," Himeko replied.
The agreement between the Astral Express and the space station was simple in essence: the station would provide the supplies necessary for the Express's Trailblazing journey.
In exchange, whenever the Express encountered something novel or unusual, they would bring it back for Herta to research.
The Trailblazing journey of the Astral Express was destined to be extraordinary. The probability of encountering things that piqued Herta's interest was naturally quite high.
It was, without a doubt, a mutually beneficial partnership.
(End Of Chapter)
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